Coating wire



(No Model.) L. Coating Wire.

Patented May 17, 1881'.

m'inemwi N. FUERS Phuloliihngaphef, lumen, DJ-

UNITED S ES PATENT OFFICE.

LUTHER L. SMITH, OF. ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT COATING WIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,741, dated May 17,1881.

Application filedMarch 9,1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER L. SMITH, of Ansonia, Connecticut, haveinvented a Process for Efiecting the Uniform Electro-Deposition of Metalupon Wire, of which the followingis the variable energy with whichdifferent parts of the electrolytic solution act, in order that I may beable to cover all parts of a coil or coils of wire of indefinitelengthwith an electro-deposit of uniform thickness; and my invention consistsin so manipulating a coil of wire of indefinite length-such, forinstance, as a coil of telegraph-wire as it comes from the manufacturer,or a series of coils joined end toendthat they are conductedprogressively through the plating-solution in a helical path at auniform rate of speed, which is regulated with reference to suchprolongation of the exposure of the wire to electrolytic action as maybe necessary to produce a deposit of the desired thickness. Apparatusfor economically accomplishing this result should have the capacity toslightly separate the successive con volutions of the coil from eachother, and to cause the coil to rotate upon its axis in ahorizontalplane, while the convolutions of the coil are either wholly or partiallysubmerged in the electrolytic solution. By this mode of manipulating thewire all parts of the coil 'or coils are conducted progressively throughthe same parts of the electrolytic solution, and are subjected to likeconditions of exposure to variations which may exist in the relativeenergy with which the different parts of the solution act. It hencefollows that the obtaining of a uniform coating upon all parts of anynumber of coils of wire requires only the exercise of ordinary care inregulating the strength of the electric current employed and the area ofthe immersed anode surface.

As I have made the apparatus which I prefer to use in practicing myprocess the subject of a separate application for apatent, I do not baseany claim upon it herein. The said apparatus is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which--- Figure 1 is a top view. Fig. 2 isaside ele vation, partly in section; and Fig. 3, a transverse verticalsection.

The apparatus consists of a tank,A, of suitable dimensions, on the topof which there is mounted a rotating shaft, B, for supporting theseveral convolutions of the coils of wire 0. The several convolutions ofwire are kept separate from each othcr'by-theavooden racks D, whichfloat upon the surface of the scluLlQlr in the use of that apparatuswire hung upon a horizontal rotating metallic impelling-roller is made apart of an electric circuit, which includes the electrolytic solutionand the anodes therein immersed, and is introduced into and carriedthrough and out of the solution in a helical path at a rate of speedgraduatedlat quirements of the case.

When a coil of wire in mass isimmersed in a plating-solution itoccasionally happens that portions of the wire lying in a part of thesolution where the electrolytic action is feeble are attacked by theacid in the solution before there is time for a sufficientelectro-deposit upon them to protect them from the acid, and theportions thus attacked maybe thereby prevented from taking anelectro-deposit. By my process the wire moves progressively, and is madeto enter at the surface of the solution at a point where theelectrolytic action is so energetic that there is formed upon thesurface of the wire, soon after it enters, an electro-deposit ofsufiicient thickness to protect the wire from the action of the acid inthe solution. It is by this feature of my process, together with thesubjection of all parts of the wire progressively to like conditions orto a like series of variable conditions of electrolytic action that I amenabled to insure the production of a coil or coils of wire ofindefinite length all parts of which are covered with an electro-depositof uniform thickness.

As willbe seen, therefore, my process has two distinct characteristicsfirst, the progressive introduction of the wire into and its pasthe willof the operator, according to the re which" are inserted the usualanodes, E. "By

sage through and out of the electrolytic solu- .a deposit of metal acoil of wire by causing it tion at a prescribed rate of speed,irrespectto revolve so that the wire will enter continuively of the formof the path of the wire in the ously at one place an electrolyticsolution solution; and, secondly,the conductof the wire forming part ofan electric circuit of which the r 5 5 progressively through theelectrolytic solution Wire is an electrode, travel through it in a spiina helical path, whereby a large quantity of ral course, and pass out atanother place, re-

Wire may be acted upon at the same time by ceiviug the deposit of metalin its course.

an electrolytic solution contained in a tank of LUTHER L. SMITH.moderate dimensions. Witnesses: 10 I claim as my invention THOS.WALLACE,

The method herein describedof coverin g with W. G. BENHAM.

